Cincinnati Reds: Trading Nick Senzel is a foolish venture

Nick Senzel’s name surfaced in trade rumors yesterday. The idea of the Cincinnati Reds trading the former No. 2 overall pick is extremely foolish.

I get it. Signing Nick Castellanos makes the Cincinnati Reds outfield extremely overcrowded. So naturally, fans turn their attention to possible trade scenarios. However, it’s apparently not just fans. It was rumored yesterday that the Reds front office was considering trading Nick Senzel. Read into that however you will, but the idea of trading Senzel is a foolish one.

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first, okay? Are there questions surrounding Nick Senzel’s ability to remain healthy? Yes, I’d be lying if I told you that there’s not part of me that has concerns for his long-term health. However, I bristle at those who refer to him as injury-prone. I think that’s an extremely unfair label to put on a 24-year-old.

Senzel has suffered some freak injuries over the past two seasons. A finger injury shortened his 2018 season in Triple-A. Bone spurs halted his Fall League experience two years ago. An ankle injury in minor-league camp slowed his 2019 debut, and he suffered a shoulder injury before the end of last season.

Now that we’ve got the negative behind us, let’s examine the positive, shall we? Nick Senzel is a former No. 2 overall pick who is viewed by most scouts as a “can’t miss” prospect. Senzel is the best position player to roll through the Reds farm system since Jay Bruce. Senzel is a former Top 5 prospect with plus-tools all over the board. He is a legit major league player.

Last year, Senzel made the switch from the infield dirt to the outfield grass in an attempt to get his bat into the lineup. That alone should tell you what the Reds think of Senzel’s major league prospects. While Senzel was not an elite defender in center field, he was able to hold his own.

His versatility alone is enough to keep Senzel on next year’s roster. With the influx of outfield talent now on the team, it would not be surprising at all to see Senzel moved all over the field. Obviously we know Senzel can handle center field, but it would not be surprising in the least to see Senzel give Mike Moustakas or Eugenio Suárez a day off while manning second or third base.

Beyond positional versatility, Senzel is also under team control through 2025. The deal that Castellanos just signed with Cincinnati allows the slugger to opt out after both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Is it really a wise move to trade a valuable player with so potential who’s under team control for six more years with your prized free agent signing able to walk next winter?

You’ve also got to ask yourself, how will Shogo Akiyama‘s translate to Major League Baseball? Sure, Reds Country hopes to see Akiyama perform as he did in Japan, but the transition from NPB to the MLB is not always a smooth one. No one else on the Reds roster is capable of being an everyday centerfielder if Akiyama struggles or gets hurt.

Finally, what would the Reds be looking for if the front office decided to deal Nick Senzel? Looking at the current roster, both in the short-term and long-term, you could make the argument that shortstop and catcher are the team’s most glaring needs. Bullpen help would be nice as well, but you’re not dealing Senzel for an extra reliever or two.

There are a few viable options on the trade market the Reds could pursue, but it’s doubtful anyone is going to bite. The most obvious candidate is Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, but by all accounts, he’s not available. Sorry Reds fans, this seems unlikely.

Corey Seager‘s name has been mentioned, but another team would likely have to join the negotiation to get that deal done. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to win now. Seager gives them their best option even though Gavin Lux is waiting in the wings.

The only other impact shortstop who could be available in a trade is Carlos Correa. However, with all the heat currently surrounding the Houston Astros organization, does any major league team want to do business with them? How well might Correa perform without someone banging on a trash can in the dugout?

The Reds best plan of action for the time being is to keep Nick Senzel right where he is. Heck, he might not even be healthy once the season begins anyway, at which point a potential trade becomes out of the question.

Senzel has star potential, and it would be crazy to give up on a 24-year-old, versatile player with six years of team control. The only potential deal that would make me change my mind would involve Francisco Lindor, but as mentioned above, that seems highly unlikely.